Wiggins gospel festival hopes to bring unity to the community

Beard said in the midst of the recent violence and other crimes in his community and across the country, he hopes those in attendance and those watching at home will see his message of a better community. (Image source: WLOX News.)

It was a celebration focused on bringing the community together. (Image source: WLOX News.)

The gospel festival also had performances from a praise team out of Hattiesburg and also gospel rapper Kayzo. (Image source: WLOX News.)

WIGGINS, MS (WLOX) -

The 2014 Unity in the Community Gospel Festival was held Saturday afternoon in Wiggins. It was a celebration focused on bringing the community together.

"It's good to dwell in unity. In one mind, one purpose and one soul and to understand which is this and why you're here. That's what's important," Reginald Bridges Sr. said.

Bridges was one of the dozens of community members to come to Flint Creek Water Park for the Unity in the Community Gospel Festival. This is the second year the Rev. Cordaryl Beard, of the Wiggins campus of Dominion and Power Family Center, has hosted this gospel festival for his community.

"I believe that where there is unity, there is also strength. So, that's our thing. We just want to bring our community together to break down barriers," Beard said.

Chiquita Lewis came to Wiggins from Gulfport to support this festival's proactive approach to bringing people together.

"The Bible says a house divided will fall, you know. If we are people created by God, once we come together in unity, we build a community for our children, for ourselves, for our neighborhood of protection, of love, of caring," Lewis said.

Beard said in the midst of the recent violence and other crimes in his community and across the country, he hopes those in attendance and those watching at home will see his message of a better community.

"With all of the negativity that's going on, we just want to be that alternative positive light. I believe if we be that positive light, in the end, our good will prevail over the evil that's going on," says Beard.

Beard hopes this is the first of many events across Mississippi to have this purpose. The gospel festival also had performances from a praise team out of Hattiesburg and also gospel rapper Kayzo.